DIY Network

Removing Half a Wall When you open the space, clutter can't hide From "Wasted Spaces" episode DWSP-303

The dreary nook becomes a posh desk.

It's easy to dump clutter in Eric and Cara's kitchen nook – after all, the closed-in countertop looks like a big box. And, since out of sight usually means out of mind, it's also easy to forget what lies buried beneath all the junk.

Wasted Spaces host Karl Champley helps Cara de-clutter her nook by taking out the top half of the wall. This will open up the space so she can work more productively, and removes the support that's kept much of the clutter in place. Karl even fits out the half-wall with some hidden storage. Later, he'll work with the couple to re-purpose the granite countertop and a kitchen cabinet, plus build a new wall cabinet.

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Removing Half a Wall

Tools: pry bar safety glasses jig saw sledgehammer hammer straight edge razor blade dust mask work gloves chisel paint trays, brushes and buckets

Materials: paint primer nails screws wood glue 1/4" plywood 1" x 6" lumber small hinges wood trim

Paint Colors (Benjamin Moore):
Poppy (#1515), eggshell
Linen White, (#912), semi-gloss

• Clear the space. Clear everything out of the nook and remove any pictures or other items from the wall. Also remove any switch plates or outlet covers from the wall area to be removed. Lay down sheets of plastic on both sides of the wall for easier cleanup.

  Safety Alert: If switchplates or outlets are in the wall, that means electrical conduit is inside the wall. If so, switch off the power at the circuit breaker before beginning work.
  

  Figure A

• Remove tiles. If the wall has a tile backsplash – as in this project – use a pry bar, hammer and chisel to gently loosen tiles and pry them off the wall. Work slowly and carefully to prevent damage to the drywall (figure A).

• Score the drywall. Using a straight edge and a razor blade or utility knife, score the drywall to outline the area to be removed. Score deeply so the wallboard will break on the line.

• Break through the drywall. Using a small sledgehammer or a heavy hammer, break through the drywall. Don't break through areas with electrical or plumbing lines, and avoid pounding against the wall frame.

• Cut through drywall. Fit a jigsaw through the hole in the drywall and cut away sections of drywall for removal. Be extremely careful to avoid any electrical conduit – even if the power is turned off. The saw should be running before it touches the surface being cut.

  Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses and use caution when working with a jigsaw or other power tool. Wear a dust mask when cutting or removing drywall, and wear work gloves when handling drywall.
  

  	Figure B
  	Figure C
  	Figure D

• Remove drywall from studs. Use a pry bar to carefully pry the remaining drywall off and away from the studs.

• Deal with electric lines. If any electrical lines run through the wall area being removed, call in a professional electrician to move them.

• Remove wall studs. Use a jigsaw or reciprocating saw to cut through the wall studs flush with the bottom of the area being removed (figure B). Carefully pry the tops of the studs away from the ceiling frame (figure C). If there a countertop or cabinet butts up against the half-wall, as in this project, remove them before cutting through the studs.

• Finish walls as desired. Install a strip of drywall over the cut vertical part of the wall, bracing with lumber behind the drywall if necessary. Once the new countertop and cabinetry are installed, paint and trim out the walls as desired.

• Don't waste that space. The empty space inside the half-wall can become a handy, hidden storage area. Use wood glue and nails to build a U-shaped trough of 1/4" plywood and drop it into the wall cavity so that the open side of the U shape faced upwards. Cut a 1X6 to cover the top of the open wall, then cut the board vertically to create two long, thin pieces. Finish these pieces as desired, connect them with hinges, and screw one side of the lid into the tops of the half-wall studs. This will create a flip-up lid for access to the storage (figure D).